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Tropical Cyclone Megh - Nov 2015

Disaster description

On 6 Nov 2015 Tropical Cyclone MEGH is moving west over the Arabian Sea, strengthening. At 6.00 UTC, it had max. sustained wind speed of 83 km/h and its centre was located approx. 800 km east of Socotra island. (ECHO, 6 Nov 2015)

Tropical Cyclone Megh passed over Socotra on 8 Nov 12.00hrs local time...Initial reports suggest six people have been killed and 60 injured, with the storm causing significant damage. Many houses have been destroyed, there has been damage to fisheries, livestock and critical infrastructure, including the power station, and the island’s hospital, which currently houses displaced families affected by Cyclone Chapala, has been flooded. (OCHA, 9 Nov 2015)

Tropical Cyclone Megh is now a Tropical Depression. As of 12.00hrs local time, it was passing over the coast of Yemen, approximately 30kms northeast of Aden, and rapidly dissipating...The impact of Cyclone Megh on Socotra Island has been severe, with local residents reporting that it was more severe than Cyclone Chapala. Five people are reported to have been killed, ...bringing the total number of people killed by the two cyclones to 14 in all affected areas of Yemen. Sixteen people, including a number of fishermen, are reported missing... Infrastructure has been heavily impacted, including roads, communication towers, water pipelines and wells. People’s livelihoods have also been affected, with extensive damage to fisheries, thousands of palm trees uprooted, a significant loss of livestock and damage to farming equipment. Over 800 houses have been completely or partially destroyed and an estimated 3,000 families (18,000 individuals) have been displaced, most of whom are sheltering in schools, mosques and a hospital under construction. (OCHA, 10 Nov 2015)

At the end of November, the priorities for humanitarian response continue to be food, fuel, essential household items, tents and medical supplies. The UN and partners continue to distribute food, potable water, nonfood items and tents in Hadramaut, Shabwah, AlMaharah and Abyan governorates. (OCHA, 30 Nov 2015)

In December, the IOM continued to provide non-food items and health services to cyclone-affected populations in Socotra. (IOM, 7 Jan 2016)

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